A Crimson Dawn by Janet MacLeod Trotter

Author:Janet MacLeod Trotter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Edwardian sagas, 1st World War, set in NE England, strong love story, Gateshead saga, Conscientious Objectors, set in mining village
Publisher: MacLeod Trotter Books
Published: 2011-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

The council chamber was busy all day, the corridors of the town hall thronged with those standing about waiting for their applications to be considered. All morning, the military service panel had heard cases in private from businessmen, public employees and solicitors asking for exemption on the grounds their business would be harmed. Four conscientious objectors were kept waiting until the late afternoon. The mayor was leading a panel of six men: the others being three councillors, a retired policeman and a representative from the military. Word came back that taking the place of the bereaved Hauxley was none other than Major Oliphant.

Emmie saw Charles blanch at this. He had sent messages of condolence to his sister at Ongarfield, but heard nothing. They all knew that Major James would be merciless in the wake of his son-in-law’s probable death.

The gallery was crowded with supporters of the men. Charles got up to speak on behalf of a young postman.

‘Laurie Bell has been a Sunday school teacher for five years. It is against all his Christian principles to kill his fellow men, whoever they are. He cannot, in all conscience, take part in any war.’

The major glared at Charles in disgust.

The mayor asked, ‘Mr Bell, you’re a postman taking wages from the public purse?’

The man nodded.

‘So your conscience doesn’t stop you taking the pay of the Government that’s waging this war?’ the mayor asked in contempt.

Charles interjected, ‘Without his wages he would starve.’

Major Oliphant barked, ‘If his conscience is so keen then he should starve rather than do this work.’

Charles faced his father. ‘His older brother went down on HMS Bayano. His family depend on those wages too.’

‘Then he should follow his older brother’s example,’ the major said waspishly, ‘and take his place in the ranks.’

The panel conferred for barely a minute and refused the man exemption. Charles had a whispered conversation with Philip and withdrew. Philip supported the next applicant, but he too was turned down. The third, a Quaker, was refused total exemption but offered non-combatant duties.

As Rab took his turn, Charles came back in with a group of men. Emmie’s heart leaped to see Jonas and some of his ILP friends. He nodded at her in encouragement. The chamber was full, the atmosphere suddenly charged.

Rab stood up and raised his bearded face to the tribunal. He would speak for himself.

‘I’m a socialist and proud of it.’

There were cheers of support from around the chamber. The mayor barked for quiet. Rab carried on.

‘I will have no part in a war that kills and maims my fellow comrades - men who are working for a better world for all humanity, no matter what their nationality. I belong to an international brotherhood and do not accept the boundaries that the imperialist rulers of Europe impose on us.’

‘Hear, hear!’ someone shouted.

‘This war is being waged by militarists who are using it as an excuse to curb workers’ rights - our hard-won rights. They seek to control us in the factories and the mines …’

There were louder cheers and clapping from all around the chamber.

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